Price Paid:  $300.00 from Perpich TV and Music

Summary:
I purchased this VCR brand new in 1999. I did not really need another VCR (I had two that worked beautifully), but I was enticed by the thought of using SuperVHS. Plus, I perform video editing on my Power Macintosh, and wanted better video quality than standard VHS could afford. But to the VCR. I should have assumed it was a preminition of things to come when the first time I put in a tape, the unit actually shut itself off. I ejected the tape, put it back in and it worked fine afterwords... For about a month. Then the picture would fade in and out when recording video from any SVideo source. A situation that quickly seemed to remedy itself. To cut to the chase, I had these sorts of problems on and off for the past 4 years with this VCR. Indeed, when it works, it works beautifully, but when it does not, it is enough to give a man an ulser. It is infact, right now sitting at the repair shop, waiting for some part of the video head. I am also very dissatified with the customer support from JVC US regarding this unit, which amounts to them saying it is not their fault. If not for the truly good quality products JVC does make, I would consider not buying anything made by them again. I paid $300 for this VCR, and if it worked to my expectations (if at all) I would have considered that a very good value.

Strengths:
When it works (about 70% of the time) it is a very good unit, with quality and featues I want and need.

Weaknesses:
When it is not working (30% of the time)... you know the story.

Similar Products Used:
Sony SLV-750HF (a remarkable VCR), Sony SLV-585HF (another remarkable VCR), RCA VR-676HF (a very good VCR).

Price Paid:  $180.00 from Crutchfield

Summary:
At 1st I really liked this VCR. But after only 1 1/2 years it is now destroying my VHS tapes. S-VHS is fine when you are the only one watching the tape, but try to lend a friend a tape that you recorded with S-VHS and you''ll see what a pain it is since they can''t view it. And at $90 to repair it, I''d rather pick up a new one.

Weaknesses:
Reliability

Price Paid:  $100.00 from ebay

Summary:
For the price I paid you can't beat the product I got. I needed a VCR with s-video input and output so I could run my digital cable with s-video and this vcr fit the bill perfectly. It plays with great accuracy and a great picture. And together with my JVC tv and JVC dvd player they all work great with the acculink cable.

If you can find this piece for the price I did, pick it up and enjoy it.

Strengths:
Great picture, auto tracking, s-video

Price Paid:  $210.00

Summary:
I tried to compare the motor noises on this VCR with my other S-VHS ET machine, the Panasonic. While it's a bit noisy, the JVC is no worse than the Panasonic. I am pleased with the picture quality, both in S-VHS mode and standard playback of tapes made in other machines. I notice an improvement in resolution with standard grade tape and high grade tape when using the S-VHS ET mode. I also see an improvement when recording at the SLP speed using the S-VHS mode, making this mode watchable. My only complaint on this unit is occassional audio mistracking, even on tapes made on the same machine. This is manifested as an intermittent static sound that lasts for a second or two, but can be disturbing. Perhaps this is unique to my particular unit. In any case, for the money, it's hard to beat the value of this machine (I assume the 3800, which replaced it, is similar).

Strengths:
Picture Quality, FF/REW speed, Tape remain counter, Inputs/outputs, remote

Weaknesses:
A bit noisy, audio tracking errors

Similar Products Used:
Panasonic S-VHS ET machine

Price Paid:  $129.00 from ubid (new not refurb)

Summary:
System:

A/V Receiver: Nakamichi
DVD player: Onkyo
CD carousel: Pioneer w/ on screen
Sat: Directv RCA
Speakers: Boston CR series all round (5.1)

VCR: you know

TV: Hitachi 50" projection
Remote: Home Theatre SL9000 (the most important component)

In addition to the comments above, I have a difficult time getting to watch a regular program through the VCR. This may be more to do with my connections than the VCR. I only do this to make sure that I'm taping the right channel.

The picture quality is a significant improvement over the old RCA, which has been abused and never cleaned but still works.

I notice "signal hum" on tv/sat recordings. Comments welcomed.

I hate the timer recording. I'm used to the RCA menu where you select menu, select timer recording and use arrow keys and the number pad to enter the ch/time/date.

For $129 I can't complain. If you have to buy a VCR, you can't go far wrong. Cool logo (SVHS) in front.

Strengths:
Picture quality. Although not DVD quality but definately better than any other VHS recording.

Weaknesses:
Timer programming is lousy. Would like a regular on screen menu where you can use the number pad to enter channel/date/time. All the different setups are confusing to me. The manual is marginally helpful.

Similar Products Used:
RCA hifi (when 4Head/hifi first came out $300+)